Recipient of H. O'Brien to M.R. Simmons, 15th March, 1958 (DO 35/8639).
15 Mar 1958
Description:

'Dear Miss Simmons,

I refer to the recently imposed ban on the export from India of Rhesus monkeys less than 6 lbs. in weight. This was the subject of telegraphic correspondence ending with our telegrams No. 322 of the 28th February and No. 327 of the 1st March. The position here is unchanged. We have been in touch with the Americans and the Germans, who are both making official representations about the ban. The Canadians have told us that they have decided, as a result of the ban, the last of a long series of restrictions on this trade, not to purchase any further monkeys from India.

2. We, on our part, are anxious to go back to the Health Ministry as soon as possible. We would therefore welcome any ammunition you can supply immediately, to enable us to return to the charge, even if - for example - you cannot yet quote a firm statement from the R.S.P.C.A. that the previous conditions of transport for monkeys were of a satisfactory standard.'

Recipient of H. O'Brien to M.R. Simmons, 17th December, 1958 (DO 35/8640).
17 Dec 1958
Description:

'Dear Miss Simmons,

Thank you for your letter of the 3rd December about Mr. N. Edward's application for an exporter's licence [sic?] for monkeys. We have been in touch with Brigadier Dillon, who is handling the arrangements at this en, and he says that there is no possible snag about the issue of a licence [sic] because he holds the Government of India's written undertaking that such a license will be issued as soon as proper veterinary approval is given to the new company's premises at Lucknow.

2. Brigadier Dillon says that what is holding things up is the difficulty of making arrangements for the air transport of these monkeys from Lucknow. Negotiations with Air India International have broken down and it does not look as if Indian Air Lines will be willing to air lift the animals from Lucknow to the U.K. as had been hoped. As soon as the transport arrangements are cleared the project will go ahead but if it is not possible to make satisfactory air transport arrangements I am afraid the scheme may have to be abandoned or its location altered.'

Recipient of J.D. Whittaker to M.L. Simmons, 14th May, 1958 (DO 35/8640).
14 May 1958
Description:

'Dear Miss Simmons,

I am writing to confirm the verbal information I gave you recently in respect of telegrams 558 and 559.

As regards the former, I have consulted our own people at the Biological Standards Control Laboratory and they in turn have spoken to the manufacturing laboratories. All are agreed that on scientific grounds monkeys weighing between 4 and 6 lbs are better than monkeys weighing over 6 lbs for polio vaccine purposes. In other words we support the view put forward by the German Embassy. We did not think it necessary to make this point before as we were more concerned with refuting the Indian Government's statement that monkeys under 6 lbs were useless for medical research.

...'

Recipient of J.D. Whittaker to M.R. Simmons, 4th March, 1958 (DO 35/8639).
4 Mar 1958
Description:

'Dear Miss Simmons,

I am writing, as promised, to confirm my telephone conversation with you regarding the ban by the Government of India on the export of monkeys under six pounds in weight.

We are afraid that this ban will lead to a great decrease in the numbers of monkeys exported, and will therefore cause considerable disruption in the production of poliomyelitis vaccines in this and other countries. We doubt whether the Indian Government could be persuaded to rescind the ban, but we do think it should be modified to the extent that the minimum weight should be reduced to four pounds. As far as we are concerned, four pound monkeys are just as suitable for medical research purposes as six pound monkeys, provided of course that they are otherwise in good health. We shall be grateful if representations on these lines can be made to the Government of India.

We have heard that in addition to this weight ban the Government of India propose to amend their existing regulations governing the numbers of monkeys which may be put in the standard export cage, and that in future only five monkeys will be allowed in a cage very slightly smaller than the present standard cage. We think that such an amendment if introduced would not benefit the monkeys but would in fact be to their disadvantage. The present cage sizes and numbers per cage were worked out on the basis of long experience, and we know of no evidence which might suggest that a change is desirable. In addition, of course, such a change would mean a great increase in the demand for air freight space (which B.O.A.C. might well not be able to meet), and a very great increase in price. Here again we shall be grateful if representations can be made to the Government of India that no change should be made in the existing regulations.'

Recipient of [Judd?] (Ministry of Health) to M.R.[sic] Simmons, 3rd June, 1958.
3 Jun 1958
Description:

'Dear Miss Simmons,

We have heard from Messrs. Glaxo that the restrictions placed by the Indian Government on the export of monkeys is now causing them serious difficulty and that they are in constant fear that their testing programme will be interrupted. According to their representative in India, the monkey trappers are unable to catch a suitable number of the larger sized monkeys.

You may wish to pass this information on to the High Commissioner.'